Financiers are dome-shaped French tea cakes (cookies) with the taste of almonds and caramelized butter, sounds rich right? Yup these little cakes get their name since they are meant to resemble gold bars. These cute little gold bars are damn tasty :) These petite bars are truly addictive. The almond flavor is deliciously complimented by the flavor of burnt butter, or "beurre noisette." CAUTION : The batter itself is quite addictive! It has a firm, crusty exterior and a moist, almondy interior, tastes almost as if they were filled with almond paste.

The history says that financiers were first made in the late 19th century by a pastry chef whose shop was close to the Paris stock exchange. He baked the financiers in the rectangular molds that were said to resemble bars of gold. It became so popular in that financial area and thus it got its name. While you can buy special financier molds to bake these, you can also use individual small tart pans or miniature muffin tin as well.

Financiers are delicious by itself, but it tastes great and pretty when it is topped with berries, peaches, apples etc. It can also be served with Crème Anglaise, Ice cream ...you can use this as one of the plating component. It’s also perfect accompaniment with Indian coffee and tea!!!

1. Dice and melt the butter in a sauce pan. Heat until the butter turns brown, but make sure it does not burn. (Like how we do for Ghee)2. Once the butter turned brown immediately keep it aside. Let it cool down completely, once cooled strain and keep it aside.3. In a large bowl stir in the egg white together with the sugar and honey. 4. Mix well until the sugar combines with the egg white. Do not over whisk just mix lightly until combined.5. Now add the dry ingredients and mix until combined.6. Slowly add the melted brown butter and the vanilla extract. Mix lightly until they are combined.7. Fill the batter 2/3 into each cavity of the Financier mold or any other mold you are using. I spooned it inside the mold using measurement spoon, you can also fill the use pastry bag, to fill the batter in the cavities. The batter will be thin.8. If you are using any fruits for topping (I used Blueberry, Raspberry and Kumquat), place it in the top of the batter but do not press. They by themselves takes its beautiful place while baking.9. Bake for 10-15 minutes in 400°f oven until they are golden brown around the edges and are springy when touched. 10. Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.11. I brushed Financiers with Apricot glaze which is absolutely optional. You can also dust with icing sugar when serving.

The above recipe makes about 18 to 20 small bars.

Sweet little bar of edible gold is ready to savor with cup of hot Tea, Coffee or as a dessert!!!

Notes:

1. If you think 400°f is way too hot in your oven. Bake them in 350°f for about 15 to 20 minutes because each oven varies.2. These are best eaten warm or in room temperature. 3. They can be covered and stored for few days at room temperature or in refrigerator.4. You can serve this with Ice-cream, CrèmeAngalise etc.

5. If you are not using non stick or Silicon mold , grease the cavity with little butter and dust it with the flour.